By Katie Vasquez
Students from Diocese of Brooklyn schools prayed with Bishop Robert Brennan at a special service at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Brooklyn.
Among the faces included 5th grader Joseph Marcellino.
“It’s good to be in a school that they love God and pray with God,” said Marcellino.
When he was in 2nd grade, the Catholic student lost his father who he was named after.
“It’s been tough for us because just me and my mom, we just knew we didn’t know what to do since he was gone,” said Marcellino.
His mother worried that she wouldn’t be able to continue paying the tuition for Good Shepherd Catholic Academy. Getting a faith based education was important to his dad.
“My husband, he graduated in the Catholic school, and, he loves the Catholic school. So I put my son in the Catholic school,” said Joseph’s mother, Yim Marcellino.
Fortunately that financial burden was lifted through a $ 2,000 scholarship, about half a year’s tuition from the Tri-State Italian-American Congress. It was a gift that brought tears to Yim’s eyes.
“For me, it’s very difficult. I am very worried. Right now it’s very big help for us,” she told Currents News.
The organization donated $75,000 to Futures in Education’s ‘Be an Angel’ program to support 38 students of Italian descent.
“I remember when I went to Catholic school, I used to pay, I think tuition was only $2 a month,” said Louis Vele, president of Tri-State Italian-American Congress, “I know today it’s impossible to do that.”
Bishop Brennan says these partnerships allow students to continue learning at Diocese of Brooklyn schools.
“You could see in the sense that these investments in our young people are already paying dividends to hear them pray, to hear their voices as, we’re praying the our father,” said Bishop Brennan.
Joseph knows his dad is probably beaming with pride that he’s not only continuing his education but honoring his heritage.
“I think he would be really proud of me. He would be really happy that I got this scholarship,” he said.